Kids Playing Football

[Aizoon]

Just watched an under-11 game at the Party in the Park, Golden Hill.

The level of skill, tactical awareness, enthusiasm and sportsmanship was incredible in kids so young. So what, exactly does the professional game do to them? Although it doesn't seem to have taken on JET, I'm glad to say

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[Simon79]

Just watched an under-11 game at the Party in the Park, Golden Hill.

The level of skill, tactical awareness, enthusiasm and sportsmanship was incredible in kids so young. So what, exactly does the professional game do to them? Although it doesn't seem to have taken on JET, I'm glad to say

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It coaches all the skill and ability out of them at times. I think a good example of this is Wayne Rooney. As a 16 year old he really looked like he could become one of the best players in the world, pure skill and ability. But I doubt he is even in the top 15 to 20 players in the world now. I think the coaching has a lot to do with it. I remember hearing an interview with Gareth Southgate( who talks a lot of sense for me!) saying about a situation in a youngsters game. The 1st scenario is that a big centre half wins a crunching tackle and boots it 50 yards up field out of touch for a throw in and receives a round of applause from the parents and coaches watching. The 2nd scenario is another lad nips the ball of a striker and tries to play a ball to feet to a team mate 10 yards away, but misplaces his pass and gets absolute pelters for it. Which in my opinion was the correct decision, just didnt execute it quite right. In the end that lad will just start booting the ball forward when he receives it. That is what is wrong with the English game. I believe Sod has said something similar about players making the correct decision. It is something that I often come across when watching my 8 year old nephew play up the park, it infuriates me so much!

[Aizoon]

It coaches all the skill and ability out of them at times. I think a good example of this is Wayne Rooney. As a 16 year old he really looked like he could become one of the best players in the world, pure skill and ability. But I doubt he is even in the top 15 to 20 players in the world now. I think the coaching has a lot to do with it. I remember hearing an interview with Gareth Southgate( who talks a lot of sense for me!) saying about a situation in a youngsters game. The 1st scenario is that a big centre half wins a crunching tackle and boots it 50 yards up field out of touch for a throw in and receives a round of applause from the parents and coaches watching. The 2nd scenario is another lad nips the ball of a striker and tries to play a ball to feet to a team mate 10 yards away, but misplaces his pass and gets absolute pelters for it. Which in my opinion was the correct decision, just didnt execute it quite right. In the end that lad will just start booting the ball forward when he receives it. That is what is wrong with the English game. I believe Sod has said something similar about players making the correct decision. It is something that I often come across when watching my 8 year old nephew play up the park, it infuriates me so much!

These kids were trying to play football, encouraged by their coaches. The trouble was that, on that size pitch, hoofball would have been much more productive.